Ficus Columns

FICUS COLUMNS

The project seeks to develop a system of reticulated, customized and optimized structural components, — a column system — based on previously defined assumptions. Entirely mediated by computational design, the research implements not only structural and optimization analysis strategies, but also mimetic formal features of nature. This creates a model that adapts its formal attributes, depending on its assumptions and the material constraints, resulting in the definition of a set of solutions that better respond to the proposed design problem.

Stage 1. Base shape;

Stage 2. Shape division;

Stage 3. Pattern definition;

Stage 4. Recursive application;

Stage 5. Pattern smoothing;

Stage 6. Section variation;

Stage 7. Section rotation.

Structural optimization.

1. Weight: 322Kg, Deformation: 0.09mm, Overhang: 23º;

2. Weight: 167Kg, Deformation: 0.3mm, Overhang: 26º;

3. Weight: 218Kg, Deformation: 0.1mm, Overhang: 27º.

Connection system between different parts. Joint A (top right) and joint B (bottom right) are made out of PLA by additive manufacturing taking into account the the geometry of each column part.

Research team: Paulo J. S. Cruz, Bruno Figueiredo (coordination); João Moreira (design and development); Samuel Ribeiro (technical support).